5 Documents to Check Before Buying Land in Lagos (Ajah, Ikorodu, Badagry and Beyond)

Land in Lagos can be a smart investment, and it can also be an expensive lesson. Double-sold plots, family disputes and land caught up in government acquisition are the stories buyers hear most, and they usually trace back to the same mistake: paying before checking the paperwork. Whether you are eyeing a plot in Ajah, a growing area like Ikorodu or Badagry, or a home in Lekki, Ikeja or Alimosho, five documents decide whether you are buying real title or just a good story.

What you are really paying for

Price per plot tells you very little. Cheap land in Ikorodu or Badagry can be real value, and cheap land anywhere can be a warning sign. What matters is whether the seller can legally pass title to you. Start with these five checks.

The 5 documents to check before you pay

1. The title document (Certificate of Occupancy or other root title)

A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is issued by the state government and records who holds the right of occupancy over a piece of land. Ask to see it, then confirm that the seller's name either appears on it or links back to it through documented transfers. Many estates and large plots sit under a developer's or a family's "mother title", which can be fine if the chain is clear. Ask which one you are dealing with, in writing.

2. The Deed of Assignment

This is the document that transfers the seller's interest to you. Check that the parties' names match their IDs and the title documents, that the plot description matches the survey plan, and that earlier transfers exist if the seller is not the original holder. Your lawyer should confirm it is properly signed, stamped and later registered.

3. The survey plan

A survey plan, prepared by a registered surveyor, shows the boundaries, size and coordinates of the plot. Compare it with what is on the ground, and ask your lawyer to check whether the land falls within any government acquisition. Be cautious about plans that look photocopied, carry no surveyor's details, or show a different size from the one you are being sold.

4. Governor's Consent

For land held under a statutory right of occupancy, transfers generally need the Governor's consent. Ask whether consent has been obtained or who is responsible for getting it, and what it will cost. Agree timelines in writing. Whether and when consent applies to your plot is a question for your lawyer.

5. Receipts and an independent registry search

Insist on official receipts for every payment, and pay only into an account that clearly matches the seller or company named in the documents. Then have your own lawyer carry out an independent search at the relevant land registry to see recorded interests or encumbrances. Never rely only on a search the seller hands you.

Red flags that should slow you down

• Pressure to pay today, "before the price goes up"
• A price far below what comparable plots nearby sell for
• Refusal to allow a site visit or an independent lawyer's search
• Names that differ from one document to the next
• A request for cash, or for payment into a personal account
• Family land with no sign-off from the wider family
• Only an allocation letter or receipt, with no title or deed behind it

Quick notes by area

• Ajah and Lekki: Fast-growing and heavily marketed. Verify acquisition status, layout approvals and who really holds title.
• Ikorodu and Badagry: Plots are often more affordable. Check access roads, drainage, distance to the main road and any family claims.
• Alimosho: Dense and busy. Confirm building approvals for any existing structure, not just the land.
• Ikeja, Ikoyi and Victoria Island: Mostly built up, so you are usually buying a property rather than bare land. Ask for the title chain and the building approvals.

How MainTown helps you check before you pay

Every MainTown listing goes through a verification process, and Trust Talk screens the documents a seller supplies before you commit. Trust Talk is preliminary: automated checks that the documents were provided, appear complete and are internally consistent. It is not a legal opinion, a Land Registry search or a certificate of title, and it does not guarantee the validity or transferability of any title. Before you pay or sign, instruct an independent lawyer and carry out your own searches and inspection.

Renting instead? The same discipline applies. MainTown offers flexible 12-month interest-free rent payments and a Make an Offer option, so you can negotiate before you commit.